Dopaminergic Neuron Transplantation in the Weaver Mouse Model of Parkinson's Disease (Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, 517)

This book is the culmination of fifteen years of research on the transplantation of dopaminergic neurons in the striatum of the weaver mouse (__wv/wv__), a neurological mutant characterized by genetically-determined degeneration of midbrain dopamine neurons. This mutant constitutes the only available laboratory model with a chronic disorder that mimics Parkinson's disease. Structural and functional aspects of intrastriatal mesencephalic neuron grafting into the weaver model are reviewed, including histochemical correlates of graft survival and integration, numerical aspects of donor cell survival, ultrastructural findings on synaptogenesis, neurochemical indices of dopamine uptake and receptor binding, gene expression of structural and neurotransmitter-receptor related molecules, levels of striatal amino acid receptors, and behavioural effects of unilateral and bilateral neuronal transplantations. This Book Is The Result Of 15 Years Of Research On The Transplantation Of Dopaminergic Neurons In The Striatum Of The Weaver Mouse, A Neurological Mutant Characterized By Genetically-determined Degeneration Of Midbrain Dopamine Neurons.--v. Introduction -- Biology And Pathology Of The Weaver Mutant Mouse -- Histochemical Properties Of Intrastriatal Mesencephalic Grafts -- Structural Correlates Of Process Outgrowth And Circuit Reconstruction -- Neurochemical Indices Of Functional Restoration -- Behavioral Recovery Of Functional Responses -- Directions For Future Research. By Lazaros C. Triarhou. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Front Matter....Pages i-x Introduction....Pages 1-14 Biology and Pathology of the Weaver Mutant Mouse....Pages 15-42 Histochemical Properties of Intrastriatal Mesencephalic Grafts....Pages 43-61 Structural Correlates of Process Outgrowth and Circuit Reconstruction....Pages 63-88 Neurochemical Indices of Functional Restoration....Pages 89-105 Behavioral Recovery of Functional Responses....Pages 107-125 Directions for Future Research....Pages 127-142 Back Matter....Pages 145-148 Movement control is accomplished by complex interactions among various groups of nerve cells in the central nervous system.